New scholarships that honor Paolo Barucchieri, the late, much-loved former director at the Texas A&M College of Architecture's study abroad venue in Italy and help students fulfill their semester away requirement there, have been endowed by Mike Hachtman ’86 and Anne Hachtman ’90.
Their eldest son, Will, is a second-year environmental design student who will be studying abroad at the venue, the Santa Chiara Study Center in Castiglion Fiorentino, in spring 2017.
Paolo Barucchieri, director of the Santa Chiara Study Center, directs a tour for study abroad students. A scholarship endowed by two former students has been established to honor Barruchieri, who died in 2012.
The Hachtmans provided $100,000 to endow the Hachtman Family Endowed Scholarship and the Paolo Barucchieri Scholarship, named after the longtime director of the study center, who died in 2012. Both scholarships are available for College of Architecture students to fulfill their semester away requirement at the study center.
“Paolo’s enthusiasm and passion continues to have a lasting impact on Aggies who have studied in Castiglion Fiorentino throughout the years,” said Mike Hachtman, president of reLogistics Services LLC, a pallet management services firm.
In addition to heading the center, Barucchieri served the study center as an executive professor, teaching an Arts and Civilization course and leading students on countless study tours around the country.
Within minutes after his death in 2012, a Facebook page honoring Barruchieri was created; scores of his former students posted glowing tributes.
“What a privilege it was to study with Paolo, a man who could not contain his humor and passion for life,” wrote Laura Massey Davis ’97. My path and career were forever changed for the better as a result of my time in Italy. Thank you, Paolo. You will be missed.”
In addition to honoring Barucchieri, the Hachtmans said they established the scholarships to help students expand their world view and experience European arts and architecture firsthand.
“Anne and I believe there is more to education, especially in architecture, than can be learned in a classroom or studio,” he said. “We hope these endowments inspire others to support the Texas A&M Foundation and study abroad scholarships so that more Aggies can see the world.”
Mike Hachtman holds undergraduate degrees in engineering and political science, and Anne holds a Bachelor of Marketing in Business Administration degree.
This article was originally published by the College of Architecture.
Texas A&M Foundation
The Texas A&M Foundation is a nonprofit organization that solicits and manages investments in academics and leadership programs to enhance Texas A&M’s capability to be among the best universities.
